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USU Wins National Bike Challenge University Division

Utah State University won first place in the college/university division of the National Bike Challenge and placed seventh overall out of more than 7,000 workplaces logging miles.

Two hundred and twenty-six USU students and employees registered for the competition, rode 91,075 miles and burned an estimated 1,284,624 calories. Approximately half the miles were for transportation, saving 41,473 lbs. CO2 and $13,168.

Utah State University Sustainability Council, Aggie Blue Bikes and the Employee Wellness Program collaborated on the event to encourage more students and employees to try cycling as a healthy, low carbon transportation option.

The National Bike Challenge ran from May 1 to Sept. 30 promoting cycling for fun, fitness and transportation. Kimberly-Clark Corporation sponsored the challenge and the League of American Bicyclists organizes it. More than 34,000 participants from all 50 states and the District of Columbia logged miles throughout the competition, receiving 20 points for every day they rode at least one mile and one point for every mile they rode. Utah State University accumulated 271,943 points over the five months of the competition.

Aggie Blue Bikes and the Sustainability Council recognized winners at USU in specific categories each month, including most commuter trips, most commuter miles, most mountain bike miles, most road miles and most improved. The top male and female cyclists at the end of the challenge received bike tunes and accessories from The Sportsman and Joyride Bikes.

“It is an Aggie Blue Bikes mission to get more people on more bikes, more often,” said Stephanie Tomlin, Aggie Blue Bikes program coordinator. “It was a great fit for us to be involved and sponsor the National Bike Challenge at USU.”

USU celebrated the victory with a Bike to Breakfast served by USU Dining Services with local eggs from Oakdell Egg Farms, pancakes from Central Milling Company and cider from the USU Plant Science Club.

Alexi Lamm, USU Sustainability coordinator, felt the event was a great success and hopes to attract more participants next year.

“We had an incredible group of organizers and participants this year,” said Lamm. “I hope we can recruit more riders and hold on to the university championship title next year.”

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